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Wednesday, August 20, 2014

NANAIMO BERTHS FIRST CONTAINER SHIP

The arrival of the M/V Westwood Pacific
at the Nanaimo Port Authority’s Duke Point terminal on August 19
marks the first container ship to berth at the Port’s facilities,
providing the Canadian port with a direct link to Asia.

This trial call, with express service to
Japan and Korea, and feeder service to other Asian ports, is expected
to lead to a regular service, providing Vancouver Island manufacturers
the option to ship their goods from Nanaimo.

The Nanaimo Port Authority (NPA) has
been working with DP World Vancouver to create a direct competitive
connection for Vancouver Island customers to Asia Pacific markets and
the arrival of this container ship is one step closer to realizing this
goal.

The NPA recently received USD 4.11
million from the federal government as part of the Asia Pacific Gateway
Corridor Initiative Program. These funds are intended to upgrade the
Port’s container operation at the Duke Point Terminal.

“The trial call from the M/V
Westwood Pacific is an exciting time for Vancouver Island importers and
exporters and will prove that the NPA can offer competitive deep-sea
connections to global markets.

We are sure that Westwood Shipping
Lines will be pleased with the service, efficiency and potential volume
of business that can be provided from Vancouver Island, and will
hopefully announce a regular containerized liner service from Nanaimo as
part of their global operation,” said Bernie Dumas President & CEO of the Nanaimo Port Authority.

“DP World Vancouver will first load
two ships, but we expect the frequency of these shipments will increase
and each departure will add 150 TEUs to 300 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent
units) of container throughput to Vancouver Island’s container
terminal,” said Maksim Mihic, General Manager of DP World Vancouver.

“This gives customers the option of
now having direct access between Vancouver Island and major Asian ports
as well as using the container barge service DP World Vancouver operates
from the same facility to ship to Vancouver.”

“Through the Port of Nanaimo gateway
to Asia at Duke Point, Westwood Shipping Lines can provide consistent
container/break bulk service designed to meet the needs of Vancouver
Island. We have every expectation that our
first two ship calls will demonstrate that the region will support
continuation of the service. The Port of Nanaimo, ILWU Local 508, and DP World Vancouver have been very supportive in promoting this service” said Guy Stephenson, President and CEO of Westwood Shipping Lines, Inc.

The Nanaimo Port Authority is one of 18
Port Authority’s across Canada, established under the Canada Marine Act,
to promote and support the National, Regional and local economy and to
ensure a safe and secure harbour for Cargo Operations.